St. Cyriakus Church, Gernrode
Stiftskirche St. Cyriakus
A 10th-century abbey church from the Ottonian dynasty, preserved in nearly original form. It contains the oldest replica of the Holy Sepulchre in Germany.
St. Cyriakus Church was built when Margrave Gero founded a women's abbey between 959 and 961. It is one of the best-preserved Ottonian buildings in Germany and an important stop on the Romanesque Road. The church retains its early double-apse layout, a nave with alternating piers, and twin towers on the west side. The 'Holy Sepulchre' in the south aisle is a stone chamber dating to around the 11th century, modelled on the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and decorated with Romanesque reliefs. It is considered the oldest surviving structure of its kind in Germany. The church also has a large pipe organ and often hosts concerts. It is generally open daily from about 10:00 to 17:00 from April to October, with shorter hours in winter. Admission is a small fee or donation, and guided tours run at set times. Gernrode is part of the city of Quedlinburg and lies about 8 km from the old town. It can be reached by bus or by the Selketal line of the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway, and it pairs well with a day trip to Quedlinburg.
Opening hours
Approx. Apr–Oct 10:00–17:00; shorter hours in winter (check official website)
Nearby sights
- Quedlinburg Castle Hill & St. Servatius Church
- Devil's Wall
- Quedlinburg Old Town
- Hexentanzplatz
- Rosstrappe
- Bode Gorge
- Falkenstein Castle
- Blankenburg Castle & Baroque Gardens